Mindfulness for Women day retreat at Medispa, Masterton, NZ March 5th

On Sunday 5th March I am heading to Changes Medispa in Masterton to lead a day retreat for women.

My sister, Lisa Burch, runs the Gladstone Inn near Carterton. I stayed with her back in January - delighting in her company, the amazing pub and scenery.

One day she had an appointment at Changes Medispa with the warm and friendly Katie, and I decided to tag along for a relaxing treatment. Katie I were chatting and came up with the idea for a mindfulness day in her manor spa where I could teach meditation, tai chi and yoga; and Katie would put on a delicious, healthy lunch.

We decided on the date - Sunday 5 March - when I will be back visiting Lisa. We’d love any woman who could do with a day of R&R to come along.

Learn to work with thoughts so you are in charge of your mind, rather than your thoughts being in charge of you

Learn some gentle stretches and movements to help reduce stress and feel more flexible (these can be done by anyone regardless of physical fitness or health)

Learn how to switch off the flight/fight mode and kick start the calm/connect mode of the autonomic nervous system. I’ll tell you about scientific evidence that shows how this will improve your health and well-being.

The main aim of the day is to give you some chill out time as well as some practical skills to take away. These will be around breath awareness, mindful movement and meditation. You’ll then be able to integrate these into your daily life. They won’t take much time. If you’re a busy woman (and who isn’t these days!) you’ll be particularly keen on the three minute breathing space – but I’ll teach you longer mindfulness practices as well. Like everything else in life: the more you put in the more you’ll benefit.

In 2016 I published MINDFULNESS FOR WOMEN that I co-authored with Claire Irvin. The day will be based on this book and will also draw extensively on the experience I’ve gained over 30+ years of meditation and mindfulness.

I founded Breathworks in 2001, which is now an internationally successful mindfulness organisation. We’ve got teachers in more than 25 countries worldwide.

But, for this day, I am delighted to be back in NZ offering my skills to kiwi women. Hope you can come along and do tell your friends. Details: